Jharkhand minister's supporters vandalise daily's office

Ranchi, Dec 14 (IANS) Supporters of Jharkhand Human Resources Development (HRD) Minister Bandhu Tirkey ransacked a newspaper distribution office in Ranchi while protesting a news item about the property owned by the minister.

Supporters of the minister attacked the distribution office of Hindi daily Dainik Jagran, near Albert Ekka roundabout here, breaking the glass doors and windows. They also tore and burnt copies of the newspaper kept there.

The paper's local edition Sunday published a news item about three ministers of the state, claiming that Tirkey had recently deposited Rs.80 million in a New Delhi bank as well as purchased a flat in the national capital.

Tirkey told reporters here that the report was false.

'I challenge the report. If there is any property in my name or in the name of my brother, I will quit politics,' he said.

Condemning the attack, Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren said he would look into the issue.

'We will find out the circumstances under which the newspaper distribution office was attacked,' he said.

Media persons of Jharkhand have condemned the attack and demanded arrest of those responsible for it.